Gout Can Be a Royal Pain

The new movie The Favourite depicts the life and loves of Queen Anne of England. It’s created some buzz. It seems viewers are either

a). taken in by all the court intrigue and lust for power, or

b). disappointed by all the emphasis on the court intrigue and lust for power.

Where are the explanations, this “b” group wants to know, for Queen Anne’s obvious ill health? How did she get that way and become such a tragic character in the history of England? We can look to the Queen’s affliction with gout for answers.

A disease of royalty and commoners alike

Gout was only one of the Queen’s numerous mental and physical ailments. But as the movie proves, gout can be quite debilitating. At one time, it was considered a wealthy person’s disease. But these days, the queen’s gout is just as likely to afflict us common folk. We treat patients with gout right here at Montgomery Foot Care Specialists in Montgomery, Alabama.

You’re at risk if you meet the following criteria:

You take certain medications, including baby aspirin and some diuretics.

You’re a frequent drinker of beer and certain other alcoholic beverages.

Your diet is high in foods that contain purines, which the body processes into uric acid. Some examples are organ meats, red meats, and shellfish.

You’ve got a family history of gout, or you’ve had a gout attack in the past.

So what is it?

Gout is a form of arthritis. It can strike any number of joints, including those in the ankles, knees, elbows, wrists, and fingers. But it’s not unusual for it to flare up first at the base of your big toe. When uric acid levels are high, they can form crystals that settle in this joint, causing acute pain and swelling.